“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies The 3AM People Leader: Donald Knight of Warner Brothers Discovery
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Nov 26, 2024 Donald Knight, SVP of People and Culture at Warner Brothers Discovery, shares his journey through HR, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership. He discusses innovative parental leave strategies and the intersection of fitness with personal leadership, revealing how early morning workouts influence his productivity. Knight also addresses the evolving challenges of HR, including the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the need for genuine company culture over mere imitation of others.
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Initial HR Reluctance
- Donald Knight initially resisted a career in HR, viewing it as a back-office function.
- He changed his mind after realizing HR's impact and being persuaded by a CHRO and his girlfriend.
HR Evolution
- The HR profession has evolved from compliance and personnel management to a more people-centric approach.
- Not all HR professionals have kept up with this evolution, leading to varied practices.
Squandered Opportunity
- The "war for talent" ended with talent winning, but the opportunity for meaningful change was squandered.
- Over-indexing on feel-good initiatives without linking them to business outcomes led to pushback against DEIB efforts.
